§ MR WILLIAM HART DYKE (Kent, Dartford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, if constant and numerous discharges of workmen are taking place from the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich; whether these point to a serious reduction, in expenditure; and whether arrangements can be made for a shorter working week or some other method adopted to lessen the great hardship caused by the said discharges of Government employés?
§ *THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. W. WOODALL, Hanley)Owing to the decreased demand for the productions of the ordnance factories some diminution of the establishment is necessary; but care is taken to effect the reduction with as little hardship to the men as possible. As has been already stated, in view of the severe winter, men have been kept on who were in excess of the actual requirements of the factories. The present time is considered a favourable one for men obtaining other employment, and some discharges are consequently taking place. 107 Working short time can only be adopted as a temporary expedient, and not for the purpose of maintaining permanently an establishment beyond the requirements of the Service.